Mexican man sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for laundering $20 million tied to drug trafficking
SAN DIEGO – A Mexican man was sentenced Monday to 135 months in prison for conspiring to launder $20 million in drug trafficking proceeds over a two-year period, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Diego.
Joel Acedo-Ojeda, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez, who also ordered the defendant to forfeit $20 million and pay a $20,000 fine. Acedo-Ojeda pleaded guilty in June 2015 to conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
According to court records, Acedo-Ojeda admitted that, between April 2013 and April 2015, he conspired with others to smuggle $20 million in bulk U.S. currency from the U.S. to Mexico. He further admitted he knew the funds were narcotics proceeds. After the money arrived in Mexico, it was transferred to the drug smugglers who had supplied the narcotics, either directly or by being smuggled back into the United States. The currency was then placed into the financial system and wired back into Mexico.
“Those who launder drug monies to further the flow of narcotics that have a devastating impact on our communities and citizens should pay a stiff price” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those individuals who attempt to employ any means, financial or otherwise, in aid of efforts to move narcotics through our Southwestern border.”
“HSI is committed to stopping the flow of illicit drug proceeds across our borders that fill the coffers of the world’s most violent drug trafficking organizations,” said Michael Carney, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Diego. “Today’s sentencing highlights HSI’s commitment to bring these international money launderers to justice.”
At sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Casper told the court that Acedo-Ojeda is believed to have laundered illicit funds for the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most notorious drug trafficking organizations operating in Mexico. The Cartel smuggles and distributes hundreds of tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana into the U.S. each year. Casper noted the investigation resulted in the seizure of more than $5 million in U.S. currency, as well as several hundred pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine.
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